On Tuesday Mr Andrews and the team travelled to Goring for our second match of the league season. After losing our opening game against Fir Tree, we were desperate to get the win that we knew would put us right back in the title race.

The boys started well. A sturdy backline of Adomas, Zachary and Xander provided us with a solid platform from which we could launch attack after attack. Ben and Jack were finding lots of space in the wide areas of the pitch, with Oliver making useful runs into the box and helping our wingers link up nicely. All of these attributes contributed to us creating chance after chance, and it was not long until one of them found the back of the net.

Jack fired over a low corner from the right hand side which, along with the presence of Ben and Oliver, caused a moment of chaos in the Goring penalty area which saw an unfortunate Goring defender slice the ball into his own net. This gave us something to build on, and we immediately set about doubling our lead.

Our high press was hugely effective as we consistently won the ball back in Goring’s half, and it was Oliver’s pressing that led to the second goal. Upon stealing the ball from the left back, he drove to the touchline and fired in a low cross which Ben side footed into the top corner to put us in a more commanding position.

Towards the end of the first half, Kit, Charlie, Dino and Leo all came on and continued where their predecessors had left off – robust at the back, and dangerous in attack – and helped us into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage.

Goring came out for the second half with nothing to lose, and played with more freedom than they had before half-time. They fired a volley narrowly wide, and Harvey showed great concentration and agility to thwart and block any shots or attacking moves that evaded our defence.

Eventually though, one of Goring’s chances did count. A fast counter attack from one of our set plays saw them break up the pitch, a move that ended with a lovely switch of the ball and their left winger poking the ball into the net to give the home side hope. Although Goring continued to go forward after this, some excellent game management from our boys enabled us to see the game out and secure our first win of the season.

Overall, another performance full of desire, character and determination – three things which, alongside the result, we will look to carry into our next fixture – and a deserved victory at the end.

Many thanks to those who helped transport the children as well as to those who came to support us.

The team was: Xander O’B-W, Harvey B, Zachary H, Oliver J, Kit G, Ben N, Leo B, Jack S, Charlie C, Dino D and Adomas B.